The consequences of more parking in Sóller: record traffic intensity this summer

PalmVehicle traffic entering and leaving Sóller increased in the summer of 2025 compared to 2024, which had already broken the previous year's records, according to data from the Consell de Mallorca traffic service. Although the increase did not reach 2%, the months of June and July—complete records are available—the figures confirm that this summer Sóller had more cars than in previous years, which set off alarm bells.

The traffic calming measures implemented mainly by the Sóller City Council to try to avoid traffic congestion, basically based on creating parking, have led to increased vehicle traffic, as residents of the Serra municipality have reported on several occasions.

If in June 2023 the average vehicle traffic intensity was 13,880, two years later this figure is already around 15,000. The same thing happened in July, which went from an average traffic intensity of 14,573 to 15,442 vehicles. This summer, the Sóller tunnel had to be closed on occasion due to the inability to accommodate more cars in the municipality, which has angered residents. The mayor, Miquel Nadal, acknowledged that "Sóller has been clogged with tourist cars" and highlighted the lack of parking for residents, the endless queues, and the occasional closure of the tunnel as consequences of this situation.

In 2025, a year of records

With 16,799 vehicles on one day in June and 18,155 on another day in July, 2025 also broke records for the number of cars, trucks, and motorcycles in a single day. These facts confirm that this has been the summer with the highest average intensity and the highest peak traffic.

This situation has led to complaints from residents to the City Council, who believe that bolder measures are needed, involving other authorities such as the Consell de Mallorca. SOS Sóller proposes the implementation of a quota system that limits the entry of vehicles and people into the municipality, similar to the model applied in other tourist areas of the Balearic Islands. This measure aims to balance tourist activity with the quality of life of residents, taking advantage of a structure like the Soller tunnel "that would allow the initiative to be easily implemented," they stated on several occasions.

Measures in favor of cars

Sóller Town Council has implemented various measures to manage the influx of vehicles into the town, especially during the summer months, but always focused on accommodating more cars. In no case have they implemented mechanisms to prevent so many from entering at once. Specifically, more than 700 parking spaces have been created outside the town center, including two new park-and-ride parking spaces at the second roundabout leading into the town from Calle de Cetre, expanding the exclusive parking area for residents, adding 300 new spaces to the existing 400.

In addition, illuminated signs have been installed informing about parking availability in the town and limiting access to the center during peak periods. Roundabouts and pedestrian and bicycle lanes have been implemented to improve traffic flow and safety. A parking monitoring system with information panels has been activated at different points on the island to report on the occupancy of the parking lots in La Calobra and Cala Tuent.

All of this, according to opposition spokesperson Laura Celià, is based on an "obsolete and ineffective" mobility model, which the conservative majority "wants to perpetuate." For its part, the citizen platform SOS Sóller has repeatedly expressed its concern about vehicle congestion and traffic congestion in the municipality, especially during Easter and the summer months. According to spokesperson Mariabel Vigo, residents are afraid to leave the town for fear of not being able to return home due to traffic jams.